photography for reporters
TRANSCRIPT
Photography for Reporters
GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive
Agenda
Five tips for good photography
Composition and strategy
Portrait photography
Beginner tips for SLR users
(1) Volume
This isn’t filmExperiment with angles, depthPre-edit on cameraGet reporting done first
(1) Volume
“If a group picture is being taken, take as many frames as people there are in the group.
Yup, people blink that often.”
— Scott Heckel, Canton Repository
(2) Stabilization
Keep your camera stillYour bodyObjects in your environmentCheap monopod
(2) Stabilization
“I know what some folks may think, ‘What's the point of a little camera on a big tri-pod?’
Well, yes, it looks odd, but your viewers and critics will thank you.”
Dominic Genetti—Hannibal Courier-Post
(3) Lighting
Plan to shoot in good conditionsAvoid indoor lightsHarsh, direct light creates bad shadowsMorning, late afternoon light is flattering
(3) Lighting
“If light is really bad, take a subject by a window and have the light coming at 90 or 45 degrees to them. Never place a window in the background unless you are looking for a silhouette effect.”
— Scott Heckel, Canton Repository
(4) Timing
Avoid the obviousCapture shots after the official event
Staged shots should be used for “Seen on Scene” galleries
Candid shots tell a better story
(yuck)
(5) Conversation
Make your subjects comfortableAsk questions, do reporting firstKeep the camera out of sightWhen at ease, break it out
Composition, strategy
LayersRule of thirdsUsing a flashMoving around
Layers
Foreground, middleground, backgroundGives dimension to your photoDetails can tell the storyAvoid distracting elements
Layers
“Try to fill the frame and place as much information within that frame as possible. With each additional plane used, the picture becomes more dynamic.”
— Scott Heckel, Canton Repository
Layers
Layers
Layers
Rule of thirds
Rule of thirds
Rule of thirds
Rule of thirds
Using a flash
Don’t, unless you mustTry without it firstMove subject away from backgroundExperiment in daylight
Using a flash
Using a flash
Using a flash
Move around
Find a different perspectiveGet low, shoot upHold camera above your headReview your shots
Move around
Move around
Move around
Get close
Take a shot, get closerDon’t be a strangerYes, it’s awkwardBe aware of background
Get close
omg moss is boring
Get close
hello, National Geographic
Get close
Get close
Questions
Portraits
Be creative, experimentPlan your shot in advanceAsk for their ideasMake your subject comfortableFocus on eyes
Portraits
Portraits
Portraits
Portraits
Questions
Exposure triangle
shutter speed
aperture
ISO
Aperture
What is it? Size of the opening in the lens
• Measured in F stops.
• Low F stops have higher apertures – f/2.0 lets in more light than f/16
• Large hole – more light; small hole – less light
Aperture
Narrow apertureMore depth of field
f/22
Wide apertureLess depth of field
f/2.8
Shutter speed
What is it? Length of time your shutter is open
• Measured in seconds, and fractions of seconds.
• 1/30 is a slow shutter, 1/1000 is fast
• Affects how you capture movement
Shutter speed
Fast shutter speedCrisp shot1/4000th
Slow shutter speedMotion blur
1/30th
ISO
What is it? How sensitive your camera is to light
• Measured in speeds – 100, 200, 400, 800, etc.
• Low number – less sensitive, fine grain
• High number – more sensitive, larger grain
ISO
Low ISOcrisp, fine shot
ISO 100
High ISONoisy, grainy shot
ISO 6400
Takeaways
Move around
Take a ton of shots
Use the rule of thirds
Photography for Reporters
GateHouse MediaNews & Interactive